Chapter 198: Blacksmith Association's Reform

Gu Qinghan gave a light cough. "Cough, this is Heavenly Tribulation. In Star Luo there shouldn't be a scene of Fierce Beasts undergoing tribulation in the city district. It may have caused a few of you to misunderstand."

The Star Luo Continent has no Divine Craftsmen, nor does it have the characteristic scene of Fierce Beasts undergoing tribulation like our Douluo Continent. Even if there are corresponding records, now seeing a Fierce Beast undergoing tribulation near the Blacksmith Association, misunderstandings are unavoidable.

"A Fierce Beast undergoing Heavenly Tribulation in a city?"

Lin Yuhan clicked her tongue in amazement.

This truly is a wondrous sight.

After a Fierce Beast undergoes tribulation is when they are at their weakest. If discovered by human Soul Masters, the consequences would be unthinkable. Yet the Fierce Beasts of the Douluo Federation can actually undergo Lightning Tribulation openly in Federation towns... Do they trust humans that much?

And Zhang Gongyan, hearing Gu Qinghan voice her view, did not reveal an awkward expression. He merely gave a light cough and said: "I wonder if I may bring my disciple to pay a visit to the Blacksmith Association."

"Naturally. Do you need me to accompany you?"

"No need. Miss Gu Qinghan should just proceed according to the original plan."

Zhang Gongyan smiled faintly, shook his head, and led Lin Yuhan toward the direction of the Blacksmith Association.

Gu Qinghan watched Master Zhang Gongyan and his disciple depart, then turned and led the others to continue their journey. Meanwhile Zhang Gongyan and Lin Yuhan walked along the broad street, and before long saw a grand architectural complex standing before them.

The Blacksmith Association's architectural style is heavy and simple. The overall tone is dark gray. The outer walls are forged from a blend of special metals and stone, gleaming with a steady luster under the sunlight.

Above the Association's main gate hangs a huge metal plaque. On it, five gilt characters "Blacksmith Association" are inscribed with dragon-flying phoenix-dancing brushwork. Between the strokes, traces of a forging hammer can faintly be seen. Clearly it was personally forged by some master.

However, compared to observing the Blacksmith Association's architecture, what Zhang Gongyan and Lin Yuhan noticed first were the people gathered here.

They were not Soul Masters gathered because of the Lightning Tribulation, but the Blacksmith Association's... Blacksmiths?

Looking at the forging badges on everyone's chests, Zhang Gongyan and Lin Yuhan exchanged a glance, raised an eyebrow, and stepped into the hall.

The interior space is even more spacious than the exterior. Dozens of Soul Guidance Lamps hang from the high dome, illuminating the entire space brightly. The floor is paved with special sound-absorbing metal plates; even with people coming and going, footsteps can hardly be heard. In the very center is a huge circular consultation desk. Several staff members wearing dark blue uniforms are handling business for visitors.

And here, many Blacksmiths have gathered in groups of three or five. Their expressions are either excited or solemn. They converse in low voices. Besides the aura of metal and flame in the air, there also pervades a tense and expectant atmosphere.

Zhang Gongyan's gaze swept across the hall. He discovered these Blacksmiths mostly wore high-grade badges. The lowest were Fifth-rank Blacksmiths. There were even several Seventh-rank and Eighth-rank existences. In their hands they held either forging blueprints or samples of some Rare Metal, discussing heatedly with each other.

"Strange. Why is it so lively here?" Lin Yuhan muttered softly.

Is there some gathering?

At this moment, a young female Soul Master wearing the Association uniform passed by. Hearing her question, she couldn't help but stop her steps and smile: "Today the Divine Craftsman summoned outstanding Blacksmiths from across the Federation. We also don't know what he intends to do."

"Can we see the Divine Craftsman?" Zhang Gongyan's expression moved. He smiled: "Thank you for the reminder."

We might get to see the Divine Craftsman later? This is truly obtaining something without the slightest effort.

We'll get to see the Divine Craftsman later? This is truly a case of obtaining something without the slightest effort.

On the Ascension Platform, Huo Yuhao saw Xiong Jun land on the ground wreathed in black smoke. He swiftly finished recording all kinds of information.

When his movements stopped, Xiong Jun asked in a deep voice: "Finished recording?"

For him, being forced to endure lightning strikes was already very unpleasant. But the most unpleasant part wasn't even this. To the outside world, the Master and Huo Yuhao's identities are merely juniors. Researching Lightning Tribulation — such a matter — can actually call upon him, and even make this Tower Master willingly endure lightning strikes. It is clearly abnormal. So on the surface, this research must be his responsibility.

In other words, to outsiders, he is the one actively enduring lightning strikes. He himself, in order to become a Divine Craftsman, actively risked his body to test the danger... Thinking about it feels absurd.

"Done, Tower Master Xiong Jun." Huo Yuhao smiled and nodded, letting Xiong Jun completely breathe a sigh of relief.

And not far away, Zhenhua, seeing this, also breathed a sigh of relief.

Xiong Jun's tribulation posture had kept him in constant fear and trepidation, worried the other party would implicate the Ascension Platform. Fortunately it has finally ended now.

Zhenhua then looked at Gu Yue Na and Huo Yuhao and smiled: "Now Blacksmiths from all over should be gathered just about enough. A few of you come with me to take a look. It's time to formally announce that Sister Na is my disciple."

"Yuhao, the matter you mentioned before will also be completed at this gathering. I support you. The Blacksmith Association indeed should carry out reform!"

Lin Yuhan looked at the surrounding Blacksmiths, secretly marveling at the Divine Craftsman's appeal. Suddenly, the entire hall quieted down. The crowd spontaneously parted a passage. Zhenhua led Huo Yuhao and the others inside.

Zhenhua walked to the center of the hall and laughed loudly: "Everyone, sorry for the wait."

His voice was not loud, yet it clearly entered every person's ears. Everyone bowed in salute, saying in unison: "Association President!"

Zhenhua raised a hand signaling everyone to dispense with formalities. Then he did not immediately have Gu Yue Na step forward, but first spoke of his recent forging insights.

"In recent years I have been very busy. It's been a long time since I exchanged with everyone. Today I'll just speak a bit of my insights here..."

When Lin Yuhan and Zhang Gongyan saw Huo Yuhao, they naturally recognized him. They wanted to properly observe this Douluo Continent genius. Yet they didn't expect to hear such words from Zhenhua's mouth, and instantly shifted their attention to Zhenhua.

The Divine Craftsman's pointers. Such an opportunity must not be missed.

Zhenhua: "What I'm speaking of today is Fusion Forging. Fusion Forging is a process Blacksmiths must experience. Sixth-rank Blacksmiths can dabble in it. The more metal types added during Fusion Forging, the greater the difficulty. My technique today relates to this..."

While Zhenhua was warming up for what he would announce later, Huo Yuhao's gaze fell on the Blacksmiths below. He suddenly noticed Zhang Gongyan and Lin Yuhan, who stood out somewhat from the others, and secretly frowned.

Recently, the matter of Star Luo Continent delegation members coming to Douluo Continent had long spread everywhere. Some even uploaded their photos online.

Huo Yuhao has always paid close attention to Star Luo Federation matters. Naturally he received the news. But he didn't expect the two sides would meet in Tian Dou City.

'Since those two are here, presumably the other delegation members aren't far from here either?' Huo Yuhao secretly thought.

On the other side, Zhenhua did not notice the two Star Luo guests. After finishing his insights, he did not give the crowd time to digest, but continued:

"Everyone must be puzzled why I summoned you, right? And also baffled why I'm explaining Fusion Forging techniques at this time."

"This is because I intend to carry out the Blacksmith Association's reform today. I will integrate all Fusion Forging formulas and various forging techniques known to Blacksmiths!"

"And this... will start with me! Today I will make public all the forging techniques and Fusion Forging formulas I know!"

As these words fell, the entire venue erupted in an uproar!

(End of Chapter)